Texas is undertaking a historic expansion of its state parks — but transforming ranchland into trails can take years.

Why it matters: The Lone Star State's vast land mass ranges from forests and swamps to canyons and deserts, but 95% of it is privately owned. Texas ranks 37th in the nation for state park acreage per capita, per Environment Texas, a research and policy center.

Catch up quick: Voters in 2023 approved a $1 billion fund dedicated to new state parks.

• The state uses the interest on the fund, or about $40 million per year, for land purchases and park development, J.J. Fleury, program director of planning and geospatial resources with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, tells Axios.

The big picture: Two new parks (Bear Creek, Post Oak Ridge) and one expansion (Enchanted Rock) are in the works now under the fund approved in 2023. They are all in the Hill Country.

• At least six others across the state were underway before the new fund.

State of play: When eyeing new land, TPWD is looking for properties that are within a day's trip away from major population centers. The state is also looking for significant resources for recreation.

What they're saying: "Building a park is like building a small city from scratch," Fleury says.

How it works: TPWD has to construct park roads and figure out how to bring in utilities like water, wastewater, electricity and internet.

• Creating a trail system is typically the largest investment.
• The agency is often buying family ranches, which can come with houses or other buildings that have to be removed.

What we're watching: TPWD is expected to close soon on the 54,000-acre Silver Lake Ranch west of San Antonio, Fleury says.

What's next: While full development will take years, TPWD now offers activities like guided hikes and public hunts within a year of purchasing properties, as it has at Post Oak Ridge and Enchanted Rock's expanded area.

The intrigue

👋 Axios San Antonio reporter Megan here. During a guided hike at new property at Enchanted Rock, I got a chance to see a state park while it's still taking shape.

State of play: I walked a portion of the more than 3,000 acres that TPWD bought in January 2025.

• North of the main park, the new area was previously a private game ranch used for hunting, a ranger told my hiking group.

Zoom in: I learned how private land owners can pave the way for public conservation through the way they care for the land.

• The ranger spoke about how controlled burns can lessen the impact of wildfires while encouraging new growth. I drove to the hike through a recently burned section, and it was stunning to see bright green poking through the ground around areas that were still charred.

My experience: The new northern property is dotted with granite rocks that are smaller and of different coloring than the large pink dome that Enchanted Rock visitors are familiar with.

• I climbed some rocks on a small hill for a great view of a pond and the Hill Country landscape surrounding it.

What's next: The next guided hike at the northern property at Enchanted Rock is on April 26. There's one at the new southern property on Sunday.

• Email the ranger ahead of time to secure a spot. You'll also need to reserve a day pass.

Organizers have canceled Austin's annual César Chávez celebration, scheduled for March 28, over allegations that Chávez abused young women and minors. (Austin American-Statesman)

• El Concilio, a coalition of Mexican American neighborhood associations in East Austin, is pushing to rename Cesar Chavez Street back to its original name, First Street.

☕️ The Hideout Coffee House and Theatre will close after 26 years, with final performances scheduled this week. (KVUE)

🚧 Samsung is continuing to lay the groundwork for a 2.7 million square foot chipmaking plant in Taylor. (Austin Business Journal 🔒)

Here's what's on deck this weekend.

Friday

🪩 Dance the night away at a Heated Rivalry Dance Party at Mohawk. 8pm, $26.

Saturday

🎨 Design keychains for you and your dog at Bark House Social's pet-friendly workshop. Noon-2pm, $34.

🍿 Watch films made by Texans at Austin Public Library's film festival at Spicewood Springs Branch. 10:30am-6pm, free.

Sunday

🐎 Watch La Maquinaria Norteña and pro rodeo at Rodeo Austin. Fairgrounds open at 10am and concert begins at 5pm. Tickets starting at $37.

Our Axios San Antonio colleague Madalyn recently tried Haywire's Cowgirl Dinner with her girlfriends.

The intrigue: The meal, offered through March 31 for Women's History Month, is a fun excuse to corral friends for a night out.

• And yes, cowboys can order it too.

How it works: Haywire has a location at Domain Northside.

• You can select the Cowgirl Dinner experience when making an OpenTable reservation.
• The $30 special includes a 5-ounce steak with roasted garlic butter, a Caesar salad, fries and your choice of a dirty or lemon drop martini.

Dig in: It's not a white tablecloth splurge, but the steak was flavorful and cooked to a perfect medium rare.

• The lemon drop martini was light and easy to sip, adding a bright citrus note that balanced the plate.
• Madalyn's group left full and satisfied, calling it a night by 10pm.

Six-word review: Satisfying mix of savory, creamy, salty.